Sermons on C Proper 9:

The Parable Of The Unjust Steward.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 9, 2022

The unjust steward is not commended for his fraud, but for his thinking on his feet.

THE PARABLE OF THE UNJUST STEWARD. Luke 16:1-13. For centuries interpreters have been more than a little puzzled, perplexed and disturbed by the parable of the unjust steward, at the beginning of Luke 16. The Emperor Julian, otherwise known as Julian the Apostate, even tried to use this parable ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Holy Boldness And Gracious Submission.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 11, 2022

Shaping our prayers in accordance with what we know about the character of God.

HOLY BOLDNESS AND GRACIOUS SUBMISSION. Genesis 18:20-32. This is the earliest prayer to be written down in the Bible. The prayer conversation was not initiated by Abraham, but by the LORD, who allowed Abraham to overhear His musings about the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18:20-21). The ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 18:20-32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Behold The Days Are Coming.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Aug 23, 2022

The restoration of post-exilic Israel, and the new covenant in Christ.

BEHOLD THE DAYS ARE COMING. Jeremiah 31:27-34. “Behold, the Days are Coming.” This is a recurring motif in Jeremiah (cf. Jeremiah 23:5; Jeremiah 30:3; Jeremiah 31:27; Jeremiah 31:31; Jeremiah 33:14-15). There is a certainty about it because it is a declaration of the LORD. The time of ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 31:27-34

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Against Hypocrisy

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 12, 2019

A court case - with the people of God in the dock.

AGAINST HYPOCRISY. Psalm 50:1-8; Psalm 50:16-23. “A Psalm of Asaph,” reads the superscription. Asaph was a chief musician contemporary with King David (1 Chronicles 16:4-7). Asaph is also referred to as a ‘seer’ (2 Chronicles 29:30). Taken as a whole, the content of this Psalm appears ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 50:1-8, Psalm 50:16-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Know That My Redeemer Liveth.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 28, 2022

Job looks forward to meeting Jesus at the resurrection of the dead.

I KNOW THAT MY REDEEMER LIVETH. Job 19:23-27. JOB 19:23-24. “Oh that my words were now written! Oh that they were printed (literally, ‘inscribed’) in a book! That they were graven (literally, ‘engraved’) with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever!” Something written on a scrap of paper is ...read more

Scripture: Job 19:23-27

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The C.h.u.r.c.h.

Contributed by Pepe Gonzales on Nov 15, 2019

What is The Church, How does God Look at The Church and what does God expect of The Church?

Matt 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.... The 1st time that the word Church is used is found here in this Scripture....... 2 Tim 2:15.... Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Happy Are Those Whose Strength Is In Thee.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 10, 2022

When we are walking in the way of the LORD, it is He who is leading us.

HAPPY ARE THOSE WHOSE STRENGTH IS IN THEE. Psalm 84:1-7. At the end of the celebration of Passover, in Jewish homes scattered throughout the world, the parting toast is, ‘Next year in Jerusalem!’ The sentiment echoes a common consciousness, a restlessness if you will, which is forever ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 84:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Righteous And The Wicked

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Oct 23, 2013

Two distinct lifestyles. Two eternal destinies.

THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED. Psalm 1:1-6. The Book of Psalms begins with a benediction. Psalm 1 then proceeds to declare who are the righteous and who the wicked, along with their separate destinations. PSALM 1:1. The blessing is literally, “Oh the happiness!” We are put in mind, of course, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 1:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Righteous And The Wicked. Abridged.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Dec 6, 2024

Two lifestyles, two destinies.

THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED. Psalm 1:1-6. The Book of Psalms begins with a benediction. Psalm 1 then proceeds to declare who are the righteous and who the wicked, along with their separate destinations. PSALM 1:1. The blessing is literally, “Oh the happiness!” We are put in mind, of course, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 1:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Best Barn Of All

Contributed by Lisa Skogsrud on Aug 20, 2019

We can avoid the problems in The Parable of the Rich Fool by building a "discipleship granary" to store the riches of God's grace that are ours in Jesus Christ.

Sermon Luke 12:13-21 for Pentecost +8C, August 4, 2019 I don't know where the time has gone, but here we are in August, and the summer is more than half over! The days are still hot enough, but you've noticed the nights getting longer already, haven't you? The short growing season we ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:13-21

Luxury And Laziness.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 10, 2022

There is the very real possibility that religious people are trusting in their religion, rather than in the true and living God.

LUXURY AND LAZINESS. Amos 6:1a, Amos 6:4-7. Amos was a farmer from Tekoa, to the south of Jerusalem (Amos 1:1). The LORD called Amos to ‘Go, prophesy to My people Israel’ (Amos 7:15). The prophet’s ministry was thereafter directed mainly to the ten tribes of the northern kingdom of Israel, ...read more

Scripture: Amos 6:1, Amos 6:4-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Who Is So Great As Our God.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Apr 1, 2022

1-2. Importunate prayer. 11-15. Meditating upon the works and wonders God. 16-20. Remembering our salvation history.

WHO IS SO GREAT AS OUR GOD? Psalm 77:1-2, Psalm 77:11-20. PSALM 77:1. “I cried unto God with my voice.” This sounds like one persistent prolonged or repeated cry. There is an intensity about it that cannot prevent it becoming vocalised, ‘out loud’ (as we say). The mouth utters what the heart is ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 77:1-2, Psalm 77:11-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Sun Of Righteousness Shall Arise.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Nov 4, 2022

A prophecy of the incarnation of Jesus.

THE SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS SHALL ARISE. Malachi 4:1-2. There was a remnant in the days of Malachi who reverenced the LORD and remained loyal to Him (Malachi 3:16-18). Those who revere the LORD are remembered by the LORD and are made up as His jewels. And when He returns, He shall discern ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 4:1-2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Parable Of The Serving Master.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Mar 13, 2023

Be prepared for the return of Jesus at an unexpected time.

PARABLE OF THE SERVING MASTER. Luke 12:32-40. Jesus reminds His “little flock” that “it is the Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32). The imperative of Luke 12:33, rightly understood, becomes a marker of where our heart lies (Luke 12:34). We must hold the things of this ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:32-40

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Words And Meditation.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 29, 2025

A prayer for guidance.

WORDS AND MEDITATION. Psalm 5:1-8. PSALM 5:1. David longs for a hearing from the LORD: “Give ear to my words, O LORD” (cf. Psalm 54:2; Psalm 55:1). Then he adds, “consider my meditation.” We see the same combination of words and meditation in the well-known quotation from Psalm 19:14. If we ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 5:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational